Guwahati: Tokobari Barowari Durga Puja Committee, which has been organising Durga Puja celebrations since 1942, continues to face a major challenge from the large crowds that gather during the festivities. Despite restrictions on vehicle entry near the pandal, managing the crowds remains difficult.The heavy rush of devotees and visitors often causes congestion, making movement and crowd management in the area challenging.“We have to deploy more than 50 volunteers to manage the crowd. It is not just the volunteers; at times, even elderly members and women from the committee have to step in to help control the crowd and ensure the smooth movement of devotees around the pandal,” said Prashanta Kalita, general secretary of the committee.Around 15,000 visitors throng the pandal every day, according to committee members. The rush begins in the afternoon and continues into the following morning.The pandal is located along routes connecting it to other parts of the city, including Athgaon and Bishnupur, both prominent puja venues. This allows visitors to leave through alternative routes without returning through Tokobari, effectively creating a one-way flow of movement and helping ease congestion in the area.Committee members said the problem recurs every year because the surrounding area does not have enough space to accommodate the large number of visitors. The narrow lanes, coupled with the steady flow of people, make it difficult to reach the venue, particularly during peak hours.The committee has strengthened safety and security measures and installed CCTV cameras to monitor the area and track the movement of visitors. Several nearby homes are also equipped with more than four CCTV cameras each, further enhancing surveillance.According to committee members, these measures help them monitor the crowds and respond to potential issues promptly.
